Abhishek Bachchan: Bob Biswas, Dasvi are reminders that people haven’t pigeonholed me into an image

Abhishek Bachchan in The Big Bull

"I have always had a blast with all my work but the last 3 years have shown some interesting projects," starts off Abhishek Bachchan. The actor's next The Big Bull is up for release on Disney + Hotstar next week. Admitting that his phase post Manmarziyaan has been rewarding, he adds, "Bob Biswas and Dasvi are reminders that people haven't pigeonholed me into an image. They offer me work where a certain amount of diversity can help. It is reassuring that writers and directors found me worthy enough to play a Bob Biswas. Dia (Director) and Sujoy (Ghosh, writer and director). It (this phase) has been a lot of fun and I am really enjoying it. The film is currently in edit. Once that's complete, Sujoy, Shah Rukh Khan (producer) will decide when and how they want to release it. It was fun because I could shoot in Calcutta and it was fun that I got to put on even more weight. I was coming on the heels of finishing Big Bull, it was nice. There was a certain look that they had in mind and I was able to achieve it. I have been an actor who feels that if you look the part, more than half your job is done there. It was liberating and challenging (to play the part). With 10 days left, lockdown happened and we went back to finish it at the end of last year."

Ask him if the foregoing theatrical release of The Big Bull bothers him, he says, "We were making a movie for the cinema halls. The pandemic changed circumstances for us. One of the first things Ajay came and spoke to me during the lockdown was about the situation. There was huge uncertainty about how the pandemic will play out. Ajay had the foresight of saying that ‘hey everything about it is for the big screen. It is meant as a spectacle but let's make sure we reach the audience. I am glad Hotstar liked the film and graciously accepted it. It's a big screen spectacle but I hope the energy translates on the small screen."